Automatic jumping device

ABSTRACT

An automatic jumping device including a freestanding, vertical support which terminates downwardly in a portable base and within which is journalled a jumping arm crank at the upper end thereof. A jumping arm is operatively connected to the crank and includes a generally horizontal strut near one end thereof which is positioned to sweep close to the ground upon each revolution the jumping arm. The jumping device may be powered either manually or mechanically to rotate the jumping arm about the support to provide horizontal strut rotation of a uniform rotative speed for jumping purposes.

United States Patent Castello Nov. 6,1973

{5 AUTOMATIC JUMPING DEVICE Primary ExaminerAnton O. Oechsle [76] Inventor: Leo J. Castello, 3702 Burnett Ln., Asmmm B Smurf Huntingdon Valley, Pa. l9066 22 Filed: Mar. 22, 1971 [57] ABSTRACT 21 Appl. No.2 126,659 I a An automatic jumping device including'a freestanding,

. vertical support which terminates downwardly in a por- [52] US. Cl. 272/74 table base and within which is journalled a-jumping arm [5 l hit. Cl A63b 5/22 crank at the upper end thereof" A j i arm i Open [58] Fleld of Search 272/74 atively connected to the crank and includes a generally horizontal strut near one end thereof which is posi- [56] References cued tioned to sweep close to the ground upon each revolu- UNITED STATES PATENTS tion thejumping arm. The jumping device may be pow- 3,104,104 9/1963 Wood 272/74 r either manually or mechanically to rotate the 3,589,719 6/1971 Glass et al. 272/74 jumping arm about the support to provide horizontal 2 1.3 3/ 6 M ler 272/74 strut rotation of a uniform rotative speed for jumping 3,589,718 6/1971 Bessler 272/74 2 Claims,8 Drawing Figures PATENTEUHUY 6 ms FIG.6

INVENTOR. LEO J. CASTELLO FIG. 5

1 FIG. 8

ATTORNEY.

AUTOMATIC JUMPING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION by two of the children to thus allow the third child to jump over the rope in the usual manner as it is manually rotated. In those instances whena single child desires to play with the jumping rope, he or she simply grabs the ends of the rope with his hands and turns the rope through large circles about the body, the object being to jump over the rope as it passes beneath the body.

Prior workers have developed ropes of various materials which have proved suitable for the purpose. Such prior art ropes have incorporated handles at the end of the rope. Some such handles have incorporated ball hearings to thereby facilitate rotation of the rope with respect to the hands of the user without twisting.

Other workers have attempted to develop automatic jumping devices by providing a pair of spaced tripod stands with a rotative, flexible member'therebetween for jumping purposes. Such mechanical devices usually incorporated a motor to allow the participant to enjoy the game. The motor operated mechanical devices have proved unsatisfactory, both because of the initial high cost of the devices and also because such devices tended to be cumbersome and unwieldy in operation. Further, an element of danger was inherent in such the jumping device construction to thereby add a degree of novelty and to increase utility of the apparatus. Additionally, a single child or several children can optionally enjoy playing with the device with equal enjoyment to all.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved automatic jumping device of the type set forth- Itis another object of the present invention to provide a novel automatic jumping device suitable for use either indoors or outdoors.

It is another object of-the present invention to provide a novel automatic jumping device that incorporates a vertical support and a rotative jumping arm crank that is journalled within the vertical support for rotational purposes.

construction due to the weight and velocity of the flexi- 1 ble rotative member.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an automatic jumping device for recreational purposes, and more particularly, includes an automatic, counter-balanced jumping device or toy suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

The present invention includes a vertical support which optionally terminates downwardly in either a platform for indoor or hard surface use or a'spike for outdoor use for imbedding into soft'surfaces such as an unpaved yard or a lawn. The vertical support upwardly journals a jumping arm crank which is arranged for rotation relative to the vertical support. The crank connects to a jumping arm which may be either manually rotated by means of a crank or which'may be mechanically rotated by a battery operated electrical motor. The jumping arm carries a horizontal strut which is rotated by the jumping arm to periodically sweep near the floor or other surface so the participants can enjoy the sport of jumping over the strut. The jumping arm is counterweighted either by employing a diametrically opposed second jumping arm so that two participants may jump at the same time or else by providing a counterweight of suitable weight and design to counter balance the jumping arm as it rotates about the vertical support. A manual crank or an electrical motor option- It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel automatic jumping device that includes a jumping arm which is rotative about a vertical support, the jumping arm carrying a jumping strut near one end thereof in rotation with respect to the support for jumping purposes.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an automatic jumping device including a horizontal strut carried on a revolving jumping arm, said horizontal strut being connected by resilient construction to prevent injury in the eventthat the strut comes in contact withiportions of the person of the participants.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel automatic jumping device including a vertical support and a revolving member rotative about the support, the revolving member carrying means for playing wheel-type games which incorporate a revolving wheel member. 7

It is another object of the present ivention to-provide a novel automatic jumping device that is rugged in construction, inexpensive in manufacture, and trouble-free when it is in use.

Other objects anda fuller understanding of the invention will be had be referring to the following description and claims of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention showing the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along Line 22 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1, showing a modification of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial, perspective view similar to FIG. 1, showing another modification of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view showing the device of FIG. 1 modified for outdoor use.

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the invention in another modified form thereof.

FIG. 7 is an elevational view taken along Line 7--7 of FIG. 6, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary, side elevational view showing a detail of the jumping strut connection.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Although specific terms are used in the following detionary base 12 of flat wood or metallic construction.-

The base is illustrated as being rectangular but the actual configuration may take the form of any stable shape. The dimensions should be adequate to lend the necessary stability to the structure to prevent undue vibration, tipping or other undesirable movement during rotative operation of the device. The base 12 may conveniently be employed for indoor use by placing the base directly upon the floor 13 of a basement or other play area. The device is also suitable for exterior use by placing the base upon a hard surface such as concrete or asphalt.

The vertical support 16 secures to the base 12 in a rigid, strong junction 18 which is designed to prevent any relative movement between the base 12 and the vertical support 16. In the event that the base and the vertical support are fabricated of metallic materials, the junction 18 may be welded in well-known manner. In the event that the members 12, 16 are of wooden or plastic materials, the junction 18 may be fabricated by bolting, glueing or otherwise fastening the members together in well-known manner to provide the necessary rigidity. If desired, the connection between the vertical support 16 and the base 12 may be fabricated by affixing a socket (not shown) to the base in well known manner and then positioning the bottom of the support 16 within the socket. The connection between the bottom of the support and the socket may be a sliding fit or a threaded junction as desired to best suit the materials employed. The vertical support 16 as illustrated is in the form of a plain pole. However, it will be appreciated that the support could take the shape of a decorative figure to enhance its attractiveness to children if so desired. I

Rotative means in the form of a gear box 20 positions near the top of the vertical support 16 a distance sufficient to allow adequate head room upon rotation of the jumping arm 22. A distance of approximately 3 feet to 3 Fri feet has been found satisfactory for most uses. As best seen in FIG. 2, a power gear 24 affixes to a horizontal shaft 26 which journals through the gear box sidewall 28 and turns within the bearing 27. The power shaft 26 exteriorly extends to receive a manual crank 30 which is employed to rotate the power gear 24 for jumping device operational purposes.

A horizontal strut 32 positions near the free end 34 of the jumping arm 22 and extends at right angles therefrom to sweep parallel to and above the floor when the arm 22 revolves through its lowermost arc of revolution. The strut 32 may be fabricated of any suitable, light, durable relatively flexible material, such as rubber or plastic tubing. By fabricating the strut 32 of lightweight, flexible material, safe operation of the device is assured and possible injury to a user is minimized in the event of contact between the body of the user and the strut 32. As an alternate means of construction, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the strut 32 may be affixed to the jumping arm 22 through a spring 36 or other type of resilient construction to permit great flexibility in the junction between the strut 32 and the jumping arm at 22. Thus, in the event of contact with a portion of the body of the user (not shown), the strut 32 will flex about the spring 36 to thereby prevent any possibility of injury. Additionally, the connection be tween the jumping arm 22 and the crank 44 or 46 may be designed in the form of a slip joint in well-known manner to automatically prevent rotation of the jumping arm 22 should the strut 32 contact something solid, such as the body of the participant.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the automatic jumping device preferably comprises two jumping arms 22 of identical construction which position diametrically opposite to both dynamically balance the device and also to provide a pair of oppositely positioned struts 32 which enable two participants to use the device at the same time. As an alternate means of construction, an electric motor 64 maybe mounted upon the gear box 20 with the motor shaft (not shown) connected to the power gear shaft 26 in well known manner to rotate the power gear 24 through energy supplied by the electricmotor. Preferably the motor 64 is of the battery powered type to render the device completely cordless.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the vertical support 16 terminates downwardly in a sharpened point 62 for insertion into a relatively soft surface such as provided by the earth '72 of a backyard or other unpaved area.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the-modified jumping device 10' is fabricated similar to the device illustrated in FIG. 1 with the exception that a single jumping arm 22' and single strut 32 are provided for jumping purposes. A counterweight 66 affixes to the counterweight arm 74 in a manner to counterbalance the weight of jumping arm 22 and its end affixed strut 32. As illustrated, the counterweight 66 positions diametrically opposite from the jumping arm 22 and is weighted in a well known manner to provide the desired dynamic and rotative balance.-

Each jumping arm 22 or counterweight arm 74 terminates inwardly in a respective left or right crank 44, 46 which journal through the gear box 20 and rotate within the respective left and right bearings 76,78. Each crank arm 44, 46 respectively affixes to a crank gear 40, 42 which position within the gear box 20 and mesh with the power gear 24. Thus, rotative power supplied to the power gear 24 by either the hand crank 30 or an electric motor 64 turns the power gear shaft 26 which in turn rotates the left and right crank arms 44, 46 through the intermeshed gears 24, 40, 42. It will be noted that the gears 40, 42 each individually mesh with the power gear 24 so that rotative power supplied to turn the power gear 24 will also simultaneously turn both of the gears 40, 42 at the same speed to thereby rotate the jumping arms 22 at the same speed. Similarly, when a counterweight 66 is employed as in FIG. 3, the counterweight will also rotate at the same speed through the meshed gears 24, 40, 42. In order to fabricate a cheaper device, it would be possible to join the crank arms 44, 46 within the gear box 20 and then affix a single gear to the joined arms 44, 46 to mesh with the power gear 24. As an alternate, even cheaper construction, the arms 44, 46 could be joined exteriorly and the gear box 20 completely eliminated. In this construction, a bearing would be substituted for the gear box and would be carried upon the support 16 in the same location. The power shaft would then journal within the bearing and directly connect to the joined arms 44, 46 for rotative purposes.

Referring now to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, I show a vertical support 16. affixed to a base 12 and carrying a gear box 20 approximately 3 feet above the surface of the base 12 in the same manner hereinbefore set forth. A support extension 38 preferably integrally extends from the vertical support 16' above the gear box 20 a distance equal to the height of the vertical support 16'. The support extension 38 upwardly carries a pointer 54 which may be utilized to play various wheel-type games such as roulette, bingo and the like. A game wheel 50 rotates about the vertical support 16 and axially pins or otherwise affixes to the power shaft extension 60 which integrally connects in the usual manner to the power gear shaft 26 for wheel rotative purposes. If desired, a plurality of peripherally positioned indicia 56 may be applied about the game wheel 50 to function rotatively in conjunction with the support extension affixed pointer 54. Additionally, the game wheel 50 may be equipped with a plurality of simulated ferris wheel carriages 52 which may be employed by a child to simulate aferris wheel for dolls. Further, if desired, the wheel could be divided into pie-shaped segments 80 by drawing a plurality of equally spaced diameter lines 82 to thereby form a revolving or stationary target for games such as darts.

In the embodiment illustrated, a jumping strut 32 affixes at one point near the periphery of the wheel 50 to enable the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 to be employed as an automatic jumping device in the manner hereinbefore set forth. If desired, the strut 32 may be affixed to the game wheel 50 through a resilient connection 36 in a manner similar to that shown in F IG. 8.

I claim:

1. In an automatic jumping device, the combination of A. a freestanding vertical support,

1. said vertical support terminating downwardly in a portable base,

2. said base maintaining the device in stable relationship above a surface,

3. said vertical support terminating upwardly in a gear box,

4. said vertical support comprising a rigid pole, Y

5. said gear box containing a power gear and at least one crank gear, a. the power gear meshing and turning the crank gear,

6. a power shaft journalled through the gear box and interiorly connected to the power gear,

1. said power shaft exteriorly receiving a manual crank to turn the power gear;

B. a crank having one end journalled within the gear box and connected to the crank gear to receive rotary forces therefrom to rotate the crank,

1. said crank being positioned at right angles to the vertical support,

2. said crank being revolved while remaining in a single vertical plane,

3. said crank terminating outwardly from the vertical support in a junction;

C. a jumping arm of non-flexible material having two ends and being connected at one'end thereof to the junction and being positioned in a vertical plane, 1. said jumping arm being spaced from the vertical support a distance equal to the length of the crank to provide clearance therefrom,

2. said jumping arm having a length slightly less than the distance between the portable base and the gear box,

3. said jumping arm terminating a strut connection,

4. said jumping arm being rotated in a vertical plane;

D; a strut affixed to the said strut connection,

1. said strut being positioned in a horizontal plane I and being fabricated of flexible material,

' 2. said strut extending in a direction diametrically opposite from the crank,v

'3. said strut being revolved in a circle in a vertical plane when the crank is rotated,

4. said strut passing closely above the surface at one point in its circular path of rotation,

5. said strut being fabricated of a material different from the material of the jumping arm of sufficient flexibility to permit the strut to readily flex relative to the jumping arm;

E. and said manual crank associated with the crank to supply sufficient force to rotate the crank, the

' affixed jumping arm and the affixed strut.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the said strut connection includes a spring, the spring being interposed between the jumping arm and the strut whereby the strut can readily move relative to the jumping arm upon flexing of the spring.

at its other end in 

1. In an automatic jumping device, the combination of A. a freestanding vertical support,
 1. said vertical support terminating downwardly in a portable base,
 2. said base maintaining the device in stable relationship above a surface,
 3. said vertical support terminating upwardly in a gear box,
 4. said vertical support comprising a rigid pole,
 5. said gear box containing a power gear and at least one crank gear, a. the power gear meshing and turning the crank gear,
 6. a power shaft journalled through the gear box and interiorly connected to the power gear,
 1. said power shaft exteriorly receiving a manual crank to turn the power gear; B. a crank having one end journalled within the gear box and connected to the crank gear to receive rotary forces therefrom to rotate the crank,
 1. said crank being positioned at right angles to the vertical support,
 2. said crank being revolved while remaining in a single vertical plane,
 3. said crank terminating outwardly from the vertical support in a junction; C. a jumping arm of non-flexible material having two ends and being connected at one end thereof to the junction and being positioned in a vertical plane,
 1. said jumping arm being spaced from the vertical support a distance equal to the length of the crank to provide clearance therefrom,
 2. said jumping arm having a length slightly less than the distance between the portable base and the gear box,
 3. said jumping arm terminating at its other end in a strut connection,
 4. said jumping arm being rotated in a vertical plane; D. a strut affixed to the said strut connection,
 1. said strut being positioned in a horizontal plane and being fabricated of flexible material,
 2. said strut extending in a direction diametrically opposite from the crank,
 3. said strut being revolved in a circle in a vertical plane when the crank is rotated,
 4. said strut passing closely above the surface at one point in its circular path of rotation,
 5. said strut being fabricated of a material different from the material of the jumping arm of sufficient flexibility to permit the strut to readily flex relative to the jumping arm; E. and said manual crank associated with the crank to supply sufficient force to rotate the crank, the affixed jumping arm and the affixed strut.
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the said strut connection includes a spring, the spring being interposed between the jumping arm and the strut whereby the strut can readily move relative to the jumping arm upon flexing of the spring.
 2. said strut extending in a direction diametrically opposite from the crank,
 2. said base maintaining the device in stable relationship above a surface,
 2. said crank being revolved while remaining in a single vertical plane,
 2. said jumping arm having a length slightly less than the distance between the portable base and the gear box,
 3. said jumping arm terminating at its other end in a strut connection,
 3. said crank terminating outwardly from the vertical support in a junction; C. a jumping arm of non-flexible material having two ends and being connected at one end thereof to the junction and being positioned in a vertical plane,
 3. said vertical support terminating upwardly in a gear box,
 3. said strut being revolved in a circle in a vertical plane when the crank is rotated,
 4. said strut passing closely above the surface at one point in its circular path of rotation,
 4. said vertical support comprising a rigid pole,
 4. said jumping arm being rotated in a vertical plane; D. a strut affixed to the said strut connection,
 5. said gear box containing a power gear and at least one crank gear, a. the power gear meshing and turning the crank gear,
 5. said strut being fabricated of a material different from the material of the jumping arm of sufficient flexibility to permit the strut to readily flex relative to the jumping arm; E. and said manual crank associated with the crank to supply sufficient force to rotate the crank, the affixed jumping arm and the affixed strut.
 6. a power shaft journalled through the gear box and interiorly connected to the power gear, 